Nature Research Awards: Inspiring Science and Innovating Science

Deadline: 11 June 2018

Nominations are open for “Nature Research Awards” to celebrate and support the achievements of leading women in science and of those who have encouraged girls and young women to engage with STEM subjects around the world.

Types of Award

In 2018, they are launching two new Nature Research Awards:

Inspiring Science Award 2018: The Inspiring Science Award welcomes nominations of exceptional scientists who self-identify as female and who are within 10 years of completing their PhD. They encourage nominations from around the globe and from all subject areas. Candidates should be nominated by laboratory heads, department heads or someone else from their institute. This award is based on academic achievement, but their independent judging process and panel will ensure that those working in adverse circumstances or in regions where there is limited access to the scientific literature will not be unfairly disadvantaged.

Innovating Science Award: The Innovating Science Award is open to everyone (individuals and groups) who works on projects or initiatives that encourage girls or young women to become more aware of, or engaged in, any STEM subject in any region around the world. Nominations can be made directly by the candidate.

Prize Information

All longlisted candidates (10 for each award) will be profiled on the Nature Research Awards website and will have access to a closed mentoring network.

All shortlisted candidates (5 for each award) will have a short media-friendly video prepared for them.

The two winners (1 for each award) will each receive a grant of $10,000 to spend towards their research or initiative, up to $5,200 APC or event funding, an invitation to the award ceremony and to give a talk at The Estée Lauder Companies, and a profile on the careers feature of Nature and Nature.com.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are welcome from any individual or group for work that encourages girls and/or young women to become interested in or study STEM subjects.

Any female-identifying academic or researcher who is within 10 years of completing their PhD can be nominated (this is regardless of any maternity leave(s), therefore the 10 years of research does not have to be continuous). This includes those not yet in a tenured position (tenure-track positions are suitable). Nominations should be made by a laboratory head or university professional.

They use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” and they welcome nomination of trans women, gender queer women, and non-binary people who are significantly female-identified.